Here is what you need to know about this collection of favorites in a hot second:
- quick and easy pasta dishes
- fresh and zippy salads
- tacos that taste like a restaurant meal
- yum to the max
We are talking about 15 recipes that are going to save your weeknight dinner game.
From fancy-feeling date nights to the most basic Tuesday evening where you just need food fast, shrimp is the answer. It is versatile, it cooks in a flash, and honestly it is just the hero we all need right now.
1. Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry
We love a meal that hits the table in just 20 minutes! This broccoli shrimp stir fry is the perfect answer for those busy weeknights when you need something fast.
The beauty of a stir fry is that you can really make it your own.
If broccoli isn’t your thing, you can easily swap it out for bell peppers, sugar snap peas, mushrooms, or whatever veggies are hanging out in your crisper drawer.
Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list for the sauce because it comes together super easily and tastes amazing.
2. Garlic Shrimp
Do you have 10 minutes? Then you have time to make this garlic shrimp dinner. It is dangerously easy and will have you eating in no time flat.
You just sauté the shrimp with plenty of garlic and butter, then hit it with some salt, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper. That is literally it.
The only hard part is deciding if you want to serve it with a big bowl of pasta or some crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
3. Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
If you are looking for a healthy dish that is still loaded with flavor, this pineapple shrimp fried rice is calling your name.
It balances sweet and savory perfectly, and the jalapenos add just the right amount of spicy kick.
And if you want to win major presentation points, serve it right inside a hollowed out pineapple! It is honestly the prettiest dish ever.
4. Cajun Shrimp
This 15 minute hot honey butter shrimp is about to become your new obsession. The secret here is to really go for it with the spices.
When you combine the cajun seasoning with honey and lemon, you get sticky, finger licking shrimp that are just so good.
Feel free to toss in some spinach or peppers for a veggie boost. As for sides, this pairs like a dream with creamy polenta or some steamed rice.
5. Shrimp Scampi
Versatile, buttery, and incredibly easy, this shrimp scampi is a total winner whether you pile it on pasta or just eat it with bread.
You can get this entire meal on the table in the same amount of time it takes to boil your noodles. We aren’t kidding about the speed.
Red pepper flakes bring a little flash of heat to the rich sauce, but you can skip them if spice isn’t your thing. Add a salad or some veggies and dinner is done!
6. Citrus Shrimp Salad
Is it just me, or does a colorful salad always taste a million times better? This citrus shrimp salad is stunning.
We are talking vibrant colors from oranges, blood oranges, grapefruit, and avocado, all topped with your cooked shrimp.
You can whip up a quick homemade vinaigrette using the extra citrus juice, honey, olive oil, and champagne vinegar. It is light, tangy, and ready in minutes.
7. Mexican Shrimp Tostadas
If you need to shake up your taco night routine, these Mexican shrimp tostadas are the way to go.
Throwing the shrimp on the grill gives them a smoky flavor that goes perfectly with a scoop of fresh guacamole.
These are so fast and easy that you might want to invite a crowd over to enjoy them. Or you can just keep them all for yourself!
8. Coconut Shrimp Curry
Get ready for some serious flavor with this coconut shrimp curry. The color from the turmeric is just gorgeous, right?
It’s packed with spices like ginger, garlic, ground coriander, and curry powder.
This comes together in under 30 minutes, so it is a great option when you are short on time but want something comforting. Serve it over white rice or just enjoy it on its own.
9. Asian Shrimp Salad
This Asian shrimp salad might be light, but it brings big, bold flavor to the party! It combines classic ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, and ginger.
You can totally customize this to your taste buds. Add more brown sugar if you have a sweet tooth, or go heavy on the soy sauce if you love it salty. You do you!
Best of all, you can prep and cook this entire meal in less than 30 minutes.
10. 15-Minute Frozen Shrimp
Frozen shrimp is such a hero for nights when you are cooking for one. You can grab exactly as much as you need and leave the rest.
Whether you want to bake, boil, or saute them, it really doesn’t get any simpler than this.
If you want to round out the meal, you can pair them with corn on the cob, fries, or even make it a surf and turf night!
11. Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Tacos! We honestly can’t get enough. These grilled shrimp tacos are ideal for a weeknight dinner and are absolutely bursting with goodness.
We are talking smoky grilled shrimp, a crunchy Mexican slaw, and a spicy creamy mayo that takes the whole thing to the next level.
These are great on their own, but think about the side dishes! Grilled pineapple, Mexican corn, or a bean dip would be amazing here.
12. Brazilian Shrimp Soup
This soup is basically a warm hug in a bowl. It is a creamy Brazilian shrimp soup that reminds us of tomato soup but with rice, coconut milk, and shrimp added in.
You can go from stovetop to the dinner table in just 30 minutes.
You are definitely going to want to lick the bowl clean, so grab some crusty bread for dipping!
13. Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice
Takeout who? You won’t even miss it once you try this effortless cauliflower fried rice.
It is Paleo-friendly and such a smart way to get your veggies in, like carrots and peas, without losing any of that delicious taste.
And if you want to keep things extra easy, just grab some frozen riced cauliflower so you don’t have to prep it fresh!
14. Garlic Shrimp Linguine Pasta
This garlic shrimp linguine is a dream come true for pasta lovers. It comes together quickly and relies on just a handful of ingredients.
Garlic is the main event here, but a little freshly grated parmesan cheese really ties it all together.
Keep it simple for lunch, or add a soup and salad to turn it into a full dinner feast.
